jekyll and hyde Flashcards
(28 cards)
good and evil
“My devil had long been caged, he came out roaring.”
Jekyll’s inner “devil” is a manifestation of his deeper desires. The connotations of “devil” also suggest that Jekyll’s desires are in direct opposition to contemporary Christian ideology.
duality
“man is not truly one, but truly two”
Here, Jekyll observes that there are, in fact, two people within each of us. He uses the adjective “truly” - which simply means honestly, or factually- to emphasise himself, the “two” could refer to both the civilised side of humanity - which is represented by the upper class and very respectable Henry Jekyll- and the “beast within,” Hyde. It could also be Stevenson suggesting that there isn’t as much difference between the uncivilised rabble and gentlemen as many people would like to believe. It also suggests that ideas like Good and Evil are not distinct from each ing other, but that we all contain elements of both.
good and evil
“There was something abnormal and
misbegotten in the very essence of the creature”
“Abnormal” differentiates Hyde from all other beings. In his reference to the “very essence” Stevenson is commenting on the true evil personality of Mr Hyde. This could also imply that Mr Hyde is the true essence of destroying Jekyll.
good and evil
“all human beings … are commingled out of good and evil” – Jekyll
Stevenson explores the tension which exists between good and evil and presents the temptation and allurement of evil within the novella
• “Commingled” suggests that good and evil are inseparably blended within every person. The word choice implies complexity and natural coexistence, rejecting the idea that people can be purely moral or immoral.
• Jekyll is speaking from experience: he attempted to physically divide his good and evil sides through science, creating Mr Hyde. But the experiment proves that evil, once unleashed, can grow stronger and uncontrollable, showing that suppressing or denying part of ourselves can have destructive consequences.
good and evil
“That child of Hell had nothing human; nothing lived in him but fear and hatred”
“Child” has connotations of innocence which is juxtaposed with the idea of “Hell, further reinforcing the disparity between Jekyll and Hyde.
“nothing human’ is an inherently abhorrent
phrase, evoking fear and toring hatred in all.
‘I am quite done with that person; I beg that you spare me any allusion to one whom I
consider dead.’
Lanyon is disgusted at Jekyll and doesn’t want to be reminded of “that person”-to Lanyon, Jekyll is as good as dead. Stevenson presents Lanyon’s emotions very clearly. The language he uses is charged with passion and emotion. ^ Shows Jekyll’s deed is a very extreme sin and shocks those with good morals.
dualiuty/ jekyll
‘I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self, and becoming slowly incorporated with my second and worse’
Jekyll wanted to separate his good and evil Duality of
sides so he could indulge in forbidden
pursuits and desires- While Hyde is a
distillation of pure evil, Jekyll isn’t all
good- often has to fight his violent desires.
^ “Had he appeared discovery in a more
noble spirit.. from the experiment come
forth an angel instead of a fiend” potion
separates true desires rather than good
and evil.
Adjective “incorporated” suggest Jekyll
and Hyde are now the same person
“He began to go wrong, wrong in the mind”
Lanyon is presented as a reliable witness- he is a “genial man” working in the “citadel of medicine” meaning he is one of the country’s leading doctors. This means that we are supposed to respect him and his opinions, making his statement ever so more powerful.
The adjective “wrong”, and its repetition, emphasise how much Lanyon objects to Jekyll’s supernatural experiments.
The phrase “wrong in the mind” implies that Jekyll’s beliefs stem from his mental instability- we know that this is not entirely far-fetched as Jekyll himself states that the concoction was neither “diabolical nor divine” in C10, meaning it did not separate his good and evil into two separate entities, but put forth Jekyll’s repressed nature and evil desires
“The large, handsome face of Dr Jekyll grew pale to the lips and there came a blackness about his eye”
Upon hearing about Hyde, Jekyll undergoes a radical transformation where his previously
“handsome” face grows corrupted and almost demonic.
Stevenson engages with the theme of duality of man through the juxtaposition of “pale” with “blackness.” His “pale face” suggest that Jekyll is afraid of Hyde and on edge about Utterson’s newfound knowledge, yet the
“blackness” in his eye reveals his true nature as it links back with the common metaphorical phrase “black with anger,” which inexplicitly implies that the boundaries between Jekyll and Hyde are slowly becoming weaker and more frayed.
This sudden change of tone from the previous casual conversation makes the reader anxious and suspicious of Hyde.
“He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong sense of deformity”
Enfield does not describe the physical deformity of Mr Hyde as Stevenson wants to place focus on the idea that while there is something wrong with Edward Hyde, it is indescribable, because the real deformity is inside his mind.
As Enfield and Utterson are both rational and respectable people the criticism of Mr Hyde Is made more powerful as they both are not usually quick to judgement, with Utterson even being described as having “an improved tolerance for others.”
I stood already committed to a profound duplicity of life”
The phrase “profound duplicity” is a metaphor that highlights the theme of duality in the novella. It suggests that Dr Jekyll is not just living a double life, but rather he has been trapped by the use of the word “committed”. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of suppressing one’s true identity and succumbing to societal pressures.
“My devil had long been caged, he came out
Roaring , even when !
took the draught, of a more unbridled, a more furious propensity to ill”
(2) (Chapter 10)
The quote references the inner “devil”, which is a manifestation of Jekylls deepest desires in the form of hyde. The notion of devil through religious allusion denotes a stark contrast of christian ideas with morality.
furthermore the verb “roaring has connotations of an animalistic, uncontrolled and deadly expression of his repressed elements in hyde and the phrase “propensity to ill” indicates a deeper, now natural tendency and inclination to morality.
“I felt younger, lighter, happier in body”
(Chapter 10)
This suggests the restraints of society are burdensome without them, he, or more specifically Hyde, is able to indulge freely. The tricolon structure shows Jekyll’s delight. This links to his moral obligations, which are worn away by his chemical mixture ashe is no longer constrained by the maintenance of reputation when in different body.
“Man is not truly one but truly two” (Chapter 10)
The repetition of “truly” emphasises the authenticity and inescapability of this dual nature. Jekyll isn’t saying that people appear to have two sides—he’s saying it is fundamentally true.
• The statement reflects Jekyll’s belief that the moral and immoral aspects of human nature are equally real and powerful. It justifies his desire to separate these aspects through science, leading to the creation of Mr Hyde.
• However, the novella ultimately challenges Jekyll’s theory. While he tries to divide himself into two separate beings, the experiment fails—Hyde becomes stronger, suggesting that evil, when given freedom, grows uncontrollably.
science vs religion
“I was driven to reflect deeply and inveterately on that hard law of life which lies at the root of religion and one of the most plentiful springs of distress” (Chapter 10)
Stevenson uses alliteration in “law of life” and “root of religion”. This refers to conscience and guilt. By separating his moral and immoral sides, Jekyll attempts to avoid guilt.
“Late one accursed night, I compounded the elements, watched them boil….with a strong glow of courage, drank off the potion” (Chapter 10)
The phrase “Late one accursed night” uses the motif of darkness. Stevenson also uses lexis from the semantic field of chemistry in “I compounded the elements”,
and in “Strong glow of courage” suggests the erratic manner of Jekyll’s personality and behaviour, and also shows he understood the risks he was taking when deciding to take the potion.
‘If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.’
jekyll often expresses himself in a poetic and eloquent manner, this is reflected here in the balance achieved by anaphora, ‘If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.’ (Chapter 6)
Anaphora is the repetition of the same words at the start of successive sentences or clauses.
His self-awareness in this extract increases the reader’s sympathy.
“I wish to see or hear no more of Dr Jekyll… I am quite done with that person; and I beg you will spare me any allusion to one whom I regard as dead.” - Dr Lanyon.
Stevenson presents Lanyon’s emotions very clearly in this section - one of Jekyll’s oldest friends views him as ‘dead’ due to what he has done. The language Stevenson uses is charged with passion and emotion. The repetition of ‘I’ illustrates that Lanyon feels he is in control of the situation and has control over Jekyll.
there lay the body of a man sorely contorted and still twitching.
This shows that Jekyll eventually killed himself as his desire to experiment made Mr Hyde get stronger. The use of the phrase ‘sorely contorted’ illustrates how science changed who Jekyll was and who he became. It ‘contorted’ his very self.
Though he enjoyed the theatre, [Mr Utterson] had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years” – Narrator, Chapter I
utterson
Stevenson presents Utterson as a highly moral and devout Christian and he is depicted as a model Victorian gentleman
He is described as being “austere with himself” and that he restricting his pleasures and even though he enjoys attending the theatre, he had not frequented one for twenty years, due to their somewhat poor reputation
This quote suggests that Utterson has repressed his desire for theatre as perhaps the enjoyment of theatre may lead him to sinful thoughts
science and religion
“And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot” Narrator, Chapter IV
Animalistic imagery: The comparison to an ape dehumanises Hyde, suggesting he’s more beast than man. This links to Darwin’s theory of evolution, which was controversial at the time — Stevenson may be playing on Victorian fears of regression to a more primitive state.
• Violent connotations: “Fury” suggests uncontrollable rage. The phrase implies that Hyde acts on instinct, not reason or morality.
• Symbolism: The ape symbol can also reflect the idea of the id in Freudian psychology — the part of the mind driven by base impulses.
Brutality: “Trampling” is repeated from the earlier description of the girl in Chapter I, showing a pattern of Hyde’s disregard for human life.
• Dehumanisation: The word “victim” creates emotional distance; Hyde sees people as objects or obstacles, not individuals.
• Symbolic of repression: Hyde’s violence may symbolize repressed desires breaking free — a key theme of duality in the novel.
“I ask myself if I believe it, and I cannot answer” – Lanyon, Chapter IX
This quote appears in Lanyon’s letter which Utterson reads in Chapter IX and it reveals Lanyon’s final encounter with Jekyll
Analysis
Stevenson positions Lanyon as the only character to witness Jekyll’s transformation as his belief in the laws of science does not enable him to accept what he has witnessed
Lanyon is a respectable and conventional scientist and stands in contrast to Jekyll, as he views Jekyll’s experiments as dangerous and describes them as “scientific balderdash”
Lanyon’s shock at Jekyll’s experiment is so great that it leads to his own physical and mental deterioration and subsequent death
good and evil
“deformity and decay”
Deformity”
• Moral corruption: The word suggests a warped or twisted nature, not just physically, but morally and spiritually.
• Victorian fears: Deformity was often seen as a reflection of inner evil in Victorian literature — the idea that external appearance reveals inner character.
• Ambiguity: No one can describe Hyde’s deformity exactly. This reflects the idea that evil isn’t always visible or easy to explain.
- “Decay”
• Symbol of decline: Suggests rot, corruption, and the breakdown of order — a loss of control over the self.
• Gothic imagery: Evokes death and degeneration, key themes in gothic fiction.
• Connection to setting: Mirrors the decaying urban environment of Soho, where Hyde is associated, enhancing the mood of moral and physical deterioration.
“a large, well-made, smooth faced man of fifty”
Physical description of Jekyll which is in stark contrast to Hyde.
